Donald Ross Memorial is a unique golf course located at Boyne Golf resort, known as the world’s only 18-hole tribute to the Golden Age designer, Donald Ross. The course first opened for play in 1989 and was the brainchild of Boyne’s late founder, Everett Kircher. The goal of the course was to allow more people to experience the work of Ross by replicating great holes from various Ross-designed courses across the country. Bernie Friedrich, the director of golf course renovations and development for Boyne, played a significant role in selecting and replicating the holes for the course.
To create the replicas, the team at Boyne visited various Ross courses east of the Mississippi River to identify the best holes to include in the Donald Ross Memorial. The holes were chosen based on their uniqueness and design features that golfers would not typically have the opportunity to play. While the team had limited technology at the time, they used old drawings and Polaroid pictures to guide their replication efforts. The selected holes primarily came from private clubs like Seminole, Scioto, Oakland Hills, with the exception of Pinehurst No. 2, which Ross himself favored.
At its opening in 1989, the Ross Memorial course was seen as an earnest tribute to the legendary designer, but it was not an exact replica of the original holes. Over the years, the course has undergone renovations to make it more faithful to Ross’s original designs. Ray Hearn, a Michigan-based architect and Ross expert, has been overseeing a multi-phase renovation project using updated information and technologies like digital archives, Google Earth, CAD drawings, and LIDAR maps. Recent improvements to the course have focused on the par-5 10th hole, which plays as the 16th hole at Ross Memorial, replicating the features of the original hole at Pinehurst No. 2.
The renovation project at Ross Memorial aims to recreate the authentic Ross experience for golfers, focusing on details like the size and contours of the greens, fairway widths, and hole designs. While the original 10th hole at Pinehurst No. 2 features sandy wastes, the tribute hole at Ross Memorial includes rough areas instead. Despite the challenges of recreating the original designs, the team at Boyne is committed to ensuring the accuracy and authenticity of the tribute course. The goal is to provide golfers with an experience that closely mirrors Ross’s intentions and design principles.
As the renovation project continues, the Boyne team is conducting research to identify which holes require changes and to what extent. Play at the course remains popular, with increased interest following events like the U.S. Open. The dedication to preserving and honoring Ross’s legacy through the Donald Ross Memorial reflects a deep appreciation for his contribution to golf course design. Donald Ross enthusiasts and golfers alike can enjoy a unique experience playing this tribute course that showcases the timeless brilliance of the Golden Age designer.
